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Christian Apophaticism in Jean-Luc Marion’s early works

Abstract:
In this article, I investigate Jean-Luc Marion’s early interpretation of Christian apophaticism with special reference to his reading of Ps.-Dionysius the Areopagite. I observe that the most remarkable, but rarely noted, aspect of this interpretation is Marion’s avoidance of the typical derivation of Dionysius’ negative theology from the Platonic tradition. Instead, he places him in the tradition of the critique of idols in the Old Testament. I argue that this intuition should not be lightly dismissed as early Christian apophaticism was at least partly developed in the context of Christian polemic against pagan idolatry. If Christian apophaticism is understood against this background, Marion’s claim that it foreshadows the modern and postmodern critique of theism appears more plausible than his detractors have been willing to admit.
Publication status:
Published
Peer review status:
Peer reviewed

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Publisher copy:
10.31743/vv.16158

Authors

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Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
HUMS
Department:
Theology Faculty
Sub department:
Theology and Religion Faculty
Oxford college:
Trinity College
Role:
Author
ORCID:
0000-0003-2154-0711


Publisher:
The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin
Journal:
Verbum Vitae More from this journal
Volume:
41
Issue:
3
Pages:
767–788
Publication date:
2023-10-03
Acceptance date:
2023-06-16
DOI:
EISSN:
2451-280X
ISSN:
1644-8561


Language:
English
Keywords:
Pubs id:
1517596
Local pid:
pubs:1517596
Deposit date:
2023-08-30
ARK identifier:

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